Congratulations to Coach Josh Heupel, Who Will Appear as a Player on the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot

Congratulations are in order for one of college football’s most respected leaders and finest minds—Coach Josh Heupel, who will officially appear as a player on the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. This milestone is not only a testament to his illustrious career on the field as a quarterback but also a reminder of the enduring legacy he continues to build on the sidelines as a head coach. For fans of college football—and especially for those who have followed Heupel’s journey from a junior college standout to a national championship-winning quarterback and now a transformative figure in the coaching world—this recognition is deeply meaningful and richly deserved.

Before he was drawing up plays and inspiring players on the Tennessee Volunteers’ sideline, Josh Heupel was carving out a reputation as one of the most poised, efficient, and successful quarterbacks of his generation. A product of Aberdeen, South Dakota, Heupel’s road to college football stardom wasn’t immediate or easy. After an initial stint at Weber State, he transferred to Snow College, a junior college in Utah, where his skills as a precise passer and leader began to take shape in a big way. It was there that he caught the attention of Bob Stoops, then the newly appointed head coach at the University of Oklahoma.

Stoops took a chance on Heupel in 1999, and it paid off more than anyone could’ve imagined. In just two seasons, Heupel helped resurrect the Oklahoma program and return it to national prominence. His 1999 campaign was impressive, but it was the 2000 season that would forever etch his name into college football lore. As a senior, Heupel led the Sooners to a perfect 13-0 record, culminating in a 13-2 victory over Florida State in the 2001 Orange Bowl to claim the BCS National Championship. His ability to make accurate reads, limit mistakes, and command an offense with maturity beyond his years made him the engine of one of college football’s most memorable championship runs.

That season, Heupel finished second in Heisman Trophy voting behind Florida State’s Chris Weinke. Though he didn’t take home the sport’s most famous individual prize, he did earn the Walter Camp Award and was a consensus All-American. Statistically, he finished his two-year OU career with 6,852 passing yards and 50 touchdown passes—a significant total for the era—and he set numerous school and conference records in the process.

But what truly separated Heupel wasn’t just the numbers. It was the poise, the clutch playmaking, and the leadership qualities that helped galvanize a team and restore a blueblood program to its rightful place atop the college football world. In the context of the College Football Hall of Fame, where players are judged not solely on stats but also on their impact on the game, their teams, and their era, Josh Heupel’s resume fits the bill in nearly every possible category.

The road to this recognition is also shaped by Heupel’s evolution beyond his playing days. Though injuries cut his NFL aspirations short, Heupel quickly transitioned into coaching and proved that his football IQ and leadership skills were just as valuable with a headset as they were with a helmet. After stints as a quarterback coach and offensive coordinator—including a return to Oklahoma—he was hired as the head coach at UCF in 2018 and helped maintain their high-octane, winning culture. His success there caught the attention of Tennessee, a proud but struggling program desperate for stability and innovation.

Since taking over in Knoxville in 2021, Heupel has reinvigorated the Volunteers program with his dynamic offensive philosophy and calm, determined leadership style. His impact was immediate. Under Heupel, Tennessee has returned to national relevance, scoring marquee victories, producing NFL-caliber talent, and reclaiming its spot among the SEC’s upper echelon. In 2022, Tennessee not only defeated Alabama for the first time since 2006, but also spent multiple weeks ranked in the AP Top 5, culminating in an Orange Bowl victory over Clemson and an 11-win season.

While the College Football Hall of Fame ballot recognizes his playing career, it is impossible to ignore how Heupel’s excellence as a coach has fortified and extended his reputation. Many great players fade into obscurity after their final snap, but Heupel has only grown more influential in the sport since transitioning to the sidelines. The nomination is a nod to what he accomplished in uniform, but it is also buoyed by how he has remained a steward of the game.

It is also worth noting the Hall of Fame’s stringent selection criteria, which Heupel meets admirably. Nominees must have been named a First-Team All-American by an organization recognized by the NCAA, played their last college football game at least ten years ago, and shown exemplary conduct throughout their lives—both in football and beyond. Heupel’s name appearing on the 2026 ballot confirms that the National Football Foundation recognizes not just his on-field achievements, but also his reputation, his integrity, and his continued commitment to excellence.

For Tennessee fans, the news brings a special kind of pride. It’s not often that a head coach—already beloved for his transformative impact on the team—is simultaneously honored as one of college football’s all-time great players. It reflects the unique dual legacy that Heupel is crafting, bridging eras, positions, and roles. It also reinforces the notion that the Volunteers are in steady, capable hands, guided by a man whose name may soon hang in the same Hall as the legends he once competed against.

The list of quarterbacks who have led their teams to undefeated national championships and followed that up with successful coaching careers is exceedingly short. The list of those who might end up in the Hall of Fame as a player while continuing to build a Hall-worthy coaching legacy is even shorter. Josh Heupel stands at that rare intersection.

Beyond the personal accolades, Heupel’s nomination is also a celebration of college football itself—the way it can reward perseverance, offer redemption, and shine a light on individuals who elevate the game through talent and character alike. Heupel’s story—rising from junior college to national champion, from unheralded recruit to All-American, and now from coach to Hall of Fame candidate—is the kind of narrative that embodies everything the Hall aims to honor.

As the 2026 induction process plays out, Heupel will undoubtedly remain focused on the present, preparing the Volunteers for another run at SEC and national glory. But for a moment, it’s worth stepping back and applauding the full arc of his football journey. It’s a journey that’s not finished yet, but one that has already left an indelible mark on the sport.

In a landscape where college football is constantly evolving—amid conference realignment, NIL debates, and shifting playoff formats—figures like Josh Heupel provide continuity, class, and credibility. His presence on the Hall of Fame ballot is more than a personal milestone; it’s a reflection of what college football values at its core: leadership, excellence, resilience, and the ability to inspire teams and fans alike.

So here’s to Coach Heupel—the player who led Oklahoma to the summit, the coach who is guiding Tennessee back toward it, and the man who may soon be enshrined among the greatest to ever play the game. Whether wearing a jersey or holding a play sheet, Heupel’s impact continues to resonate across generations. His place on the 2026 College Football Hall of Fame ballot is not just well-earned—it’s a reminder that greatness, in its truest form, stands the test of time.